How much does a waiter and waitress make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $22.13 an hour or $3,837 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.13
- Vs. national median
- +31%
- Rank among cities
- 37 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 46,160
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,880 | $15.33 | |
| 25th | $36,400 | $17.50 | |
| Median | $46,040 | $22.13 | |
| 75th | $60,180 | $28.93 | |
| 90th | $81,060 | $38.97 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,900 |
| Bartender | $48,030 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,580 |
| Cook | $44,880 |
| Cook | $42,920 |
| Cook | $39,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,590 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,630 |
| Food Server | $37,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $37,260 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $22.13 ($46,040 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $46,040 against $35,230 nationally, 31% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $47,850, so Washington pays 4% less.
Where does Washington rank for waiter and waitress pay?
37 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,880 or less a year; the top 10% make $81,060 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.